Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE:FCAU). (Photo: Reuters)
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (NYSE:FCAU) said January car sales rose 14 percent to 145,007 vehicles, beating expectations with its best January since 2007.
Strong sales of utility vehicles and full-size pickups pushed the automaker’s sales well above last year’s mark of 127,183. Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast sales for FCA to reach 144,418.
All five of the U.S. automaker’s brands saw year-over-year increases, with Jeep and Ram brands leading the way. Jeep sales jumped 23 percent and Ram trucks increased 21 percent.
Chrysler said U.S. industry sales in January were projected at an annual rate of 17.0 million, including about 300,000 medium and heavy trucks. A Reuters survey of 47 analysts estimated an annual rate of 16.6 million.
